A Tiny Town In Texas Hill Country Boasts A Beautiful State Park With Peaceful Scenery

The Texas Hill Country is legendary. Full of wild history, exquisite cuisine, and natural wonders worthy of a day trip from Austin or San Antonio, the region is an excellent destination for unwinding and soaking up the beautiful scenery of Central Texas. At the heart of the Hill Country is the small, genuinely Texan town of Blanco, where you'll find hospitality, pride, history, and character rolled into one.

Established in 1858, Blanco was named for the spring-fed Blanco River that runs through town and makes up the heart of Blanco State Park. The park was created in 1933, when the state acquired 104 acres of land from local ranchers. Although it's one of the smallest state parks in the state, it's easy to access and a great place to cool off during a muggy Texas summer day. The park's main attraction is a series of swimming holes built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Fishing is also a major draw, even for beginners. The river is stocked with trout and you don't need a license if you fish from the shady, cypress-lined banks. The park also lends out fishing rods and reels to visitors.

Once you make it through the snarling traffic around Austin and San Antonio, you'll have about one hour of driving time before you reach Blanco and Blanco State Park. The park is open daily and day passes are $5 per person aged 13 and older. It's recommended to arrive early if you plan to come during the summer months or on a weekend. For visitors flying into the Hill Country, both the San Antonio and Austin International Airports serve as convenient gateways into the region. San Antonio's airport is smaller and can be easier to navigate, but Austin offers more non-stop routes and airline options. 

If venturing across the Atlantic Ocean to take beautiful pictures in France is not possible, you can explore similar topography around the Texas Hill Country outside of Blanco. The rich soil and rolling hills outside of Blanco bear a resemblance to Rhône Valley, Provence and Bordeaux, producing some of the most beautiful flowers — and delicious wines — in the Lone Star State. Each spring, the windswept hills around Blanco and Blanco State Park are in bloom with bluebonnets. By late May, the summer air is filled with the scent of lavender – so much so, that Blanco is nicknamed "the Lavender Capital of Texas." Snap all the photos you'd like from the road if the flowers are on private property – just don't block traffic. In the park, avoid picking the flowers so that others can enjoy them too. If you're a lavender lover, don't miss Blanco's annual Lavender Festival in early June.

Within Blanco State Park, you'll be able to take in the sights from the water or on foot. Hop in your canoe or kayak and float along the Blanco River to catch glimpses of the many birds that call the park home, including waterfowl, birds of prey, and wild turkeys. Though you won't find as many recreation trails as Texas' newest state park, the two loops in Blanco State Park are perfect for beginners and families with young children. The 0.2-mile Pumphouse Trail leads to a scenic overlook along the Blanco River and the original CCC-built dam. For a fun activity, the state park has a wide assortment of geocache challenges set up, with small prizes if you can find the hidden treasure. 

Blanco is a true world away from the sprawling concrete jungle. Farming and ranching has powered the town's economy for generations. The small community of roughly 2,300 has a burgeoning food scene, including gelato made from grass-fed water buffalo milk at Oro Bianco Italian Creamery and a barbecue restaurant helmed by pitmaster Ladd Pepper, who was personally selected to grill at former President Barack Obama's first inauguration. His restaurant, Old 300 BBQ, uses locally raised beef and is a favorite among locals and visitors. Experience a taste of the town's past with a visit to the well-preserved and historically significant Old Blanco County Courthouse at the center of downtown.

In the Hill Country, you don't have to go far to find a local watering hole. Blanco is home to a growing number of specialty distilleries, wineries, and breweries serving up award-winning beverages. Head to Andalusia Whiskey Co. for famous single malts, and Milan & Greene Whiskey for artisanal bourbons and ryes. The town's annual Spirits of Blanco Festival, held downtown during Halloween weekend, is a great opportunity to sample the local sips.

If you'd rather not make the drive back to the big city, you'll find a handful of welcoming cottages, bed and breakfasts, and hotels dotting the colorful town. Like many other Texas towns with Spanish-derived names, there is more than one way to pronounce Blanco. Locals generally say "blank-o," but "blanco" — as in the Spanish word for "white" — works just fine too.